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ACAI: Awareness and Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence

Si Zuo, Xujun Ma, Giovanni Iacca

UbiComp Companion October 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1145/3714394.3750573 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Practical guide or manual Peer reviewed
Duration One-day event
Key points Argues that current AI systems, despite advances in sensory processing, pattern recognition, and decision-making, lack the deep understanding and adaptability of true awareness, and proposes that integrating awareness into AI could enhance resilience, adaptability, and long-term self-development, with applications in healthcare, robotics, smart infrastructure, and the arts.

Abstract

The exploration of awareness and consciousness in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a central focus of research for decades and remains one of its most complex challenges. Despite significant advancements in sensory processing, pattern recognition, and decision-making, AI systems still lack the deep understanding and adaptability characteristic of true awareness. Integrating awareness into AI systems has the potential to greatly enhance their resilience, adaptability, and capacity for long-term self-development. Such advancements could revolutionize fields like healthcare, robotics, smart infrastructure, and the arts by fostering technologies that truly understand and respond to human needs. This workshop aims to explore the boundaries of AI awareness, focusing on theoretical developments, practical applications, and societal impacts. The one-day event includes a keynote speech, paper presentations, and a panel discussion, providing a comprehensive overview of current research and future directions.